Assignment #2 Street Photography & the Decisive Moment

“You must milk the cow a great deal, to get enough milk, to make a little bit of cheese”

Henri Cartier-Bresson

There come certain moments in our lives when any number of forces (both those we can control and those we can’t) merge together.  Everything comes together as if fate had planned it that way.  To simplify this in a phrase; being in the right place at the right time.

The French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson describes this sensation in his work as being “The Decisive Moment”.  A point in time and space when those forces (people, buildings, autos, animals, shapes, forms, weather etc.) arrange themselves in front of his camera to present a complete statement, both visually and emotionally.  Everything is revealed with perfect clarity.

But this is a very quick and fleeting moment.  The power created by all these forces dissolves as quickly as it arises.  Cartier-Bresson sees it as his responsibility as a photographer to be aware of such moments and to photograph them at precisely “the decisive moment”.

Your assignment, shoot at least two rolls of 36 exposure of these decisive moments you find in your world.  These are best found outdoors and in situations where there are lots of people around.  Use ISO 400 speed setting and try to use higher shutter speeds if your subjects are moving, around 250-500 of a second.

Carry your camera in the ready mode, that is pre-focused and the exposure controls adjusted for the lighting situation you are in.  Try concentrating on the three basic elements (time, space, and objects in space, like people).  Observe their interaction.  You skill will increase with practice and timing is everything.

Turn in a minimum of one print that best presents the idea of the decisive moment. The print may be of any size.

For more information, check out the works of Cartier-Bresson in the art and architecture library and the works of Elliot Erwitt and Gray Winnogrand two other photographers who deal with these elements.

Gary Winogrand

Critique for this assignment is Feb 10, bring a minimum of one print to class.

Assignment #1 the black & White Image

Black & White photography is different from color photography from both an obvious visual approach but also from a more conceptual understanding. With the exception of a few who are color blind, we all see and understand the world in color. To make black & white images requires that you make the translation in your head as your shooting.

For this assignment shoot one roll of 36 exposure HP-5 or similar film with the goal of making images where it matters that the image is mono toned and not in color. As part of this assignment, you should bracket all your images, one stop over, one exposed what you believe to be the correct exposure and one stop under exposed.

Bring the exposed film to class for in class processing January 20.

Critique for this assignment is January 29, bring contact sheet and one print to class.

Welcome to ART 1186 Spring 2015

Here's the fine print for the class:

Black and White Photography I ART1186 sec 01

SP 2015 V1.1

Tuesday & Thursday 1:00-4:00

01/13/15          class intro; exposure and development; assignment #1-The Black & White image 01/15/15  TBA possible field trip weather depending or slide lecture

01/20/15          film processing demo; students bring exposed roll to class from Assignment #1

01/22/15          slides for assignment #2 (“Street Photography-Decisive Moment”) & lab time for film processing

01/27/15          Contact printing & enlarging demo; students bring developed film to class

01/29/15          Critique assignment #1-The Black and White Image (Eric) Stan @ IUSB

02/03/15          Contrast control & Burning and Dodging demo -work day-Filter assignment P/F

02/05/15          Lecture for assignment #3 Audio Assignment (9^th & Hennepin)

02/10/15          Critique for assignment #2- Street Photography/Decisive Moment assignment

02/12/15          No Stan-Eric shows slide for #5-“Environmental Portrait”

02/17/15          No Stan-lab day with Eric

02/19/15          Critique for #4 Audio assignment

02/24/15          field trip

02/26/15          slides for assignment #6 Studio portrait

03/03/15          Studio lighting demo

03/05/15          Fiber print demo/lecture 

03/08-15          WU Spring Break-lab closed

03/17/15          Critique for # Environmental Portrait #5

03/19/15          Lecture and give assignment # 6 TA choice-Eric

03/24/15          Slides for studio assignment  #8 Studio nude

03/26/15          nude model in class

03/31/15          Critique for #6 TA’s Choice-Eric

04/02/15          critique  # 7 Studio portrait

04/07/15          Slides for Self portrait #10

04/09/15          critique for assignment  #8 studio nude

04/14/15          Stan’s Life in Art lecture

04/16/15          critique for assignment #9-Personal Still Life

04/21/15          presentation, mounting and matting

04/23/15          critique for # 10 Self Portrait

04/24/15          last day of classes

04/27/15          final portfolio due today                                 

04/29/15          final exams begin       

           

05/05/15          portfolios returned

Assignments:

1. Exposure and development P/F
2. Street Photography-decisive moment
3. Contrast filter assignment P/F
4. Audio assignment
5. Environmental Portrait
6. TA’s choice (Eric)
7. Studio Portrait
8. Studio nude
9. Personal Still Life
10. Self portrait

Final Portfolios:

You are expected to shoot film, perform all lab work, and final presentation. Students who use other students’ prints or negatives without attribution are guilty of cheating and will be referred to the Associate Dean for further action, and fail the class. Final portfolios consist of 10-15 matted or mounted prints, printed to your highest standards.  Portfolio may include assignments, may be thematic, or may just have 15 of your best images.  All prints should be spotted and ready for presentation.  All prints must be in something that resembles a folder or case.  No trash bags or loose prints please.  Label all mats on rear with your name and class.

Grading:

Work will be graded in two parts, 1) craft and technique, which refer to camera handling skills, and print quality and 2) concept and creative solution to assignment problem.

Final grade comprised of the following guidelines:

                                                                        25% assignment

25% attendance and class participation

                                                                        50% final portfolio

Grade values:

A+, A, A-: Superior work and effort. This grade level is for those who demonstrate and maintain strong, creative concepts, intellectual curiosity, focused work ethic, and courage to push beyond safe limits. They produce work consistently, and create technically and conceptually excellent work that is innovative and resolved. They actively participate in critiques, and show a high level of independence and motivation facilitating the studio community and their education.

B+, B, B-: Very good work and effort. This grade implies above average work,

participation/citizenship and demonstrates an effort beyond expectations to discovery in the process of developing a solid studio practice. The B student works hard but struggles with technique and process; or has good conceptual goals but does not put forth substantial skill/effort to communicate them effectively.

The B range student may be doing minimal outside research to develop ideas but makes use of the faculty/peer suggestions and dialogue.

C+, C, C-: Average work and effort. This grade indicates good attendance, completion of ideas, and some extra work. Adequate time spent in studio. The C student struggles with resolving projects in a coherent manner, or may struggle with the development of a consistent and rigorous studio practice. Their participation and initiative in critique settings and seminar is minimal, and they often fail to initiate peer/faculty feedback.

D+, D, D-: Unsatisfactory work. Often, these grades are earned through poor attendance, late work or not following directions.

F: Failing work.

Attendance policy:

Students are expected to attend all classes, in case of medical excuse, students are responsible for supplying documentation to faculty.  Excessive absence  (five unexcused) will result in lowering of grade, one letter and seven unexcused, failure of class entirely.  Students should plan on arriving to class on time. Excessive tardiness will result in a lowering of the final grade.

Digital Etiquette:

This should go without saying, but let’s say it anyway: you should turn off your cell-phone and/or other devices (iPods, etc) before you enter the classroom. If your phone rings once during class this semester, we’ll all laugh and I’ll ask you to turn it off. If your phone rings again during class this semester, we’ll need to have a talk.

I understand that your phones connect you with your friends and family, but the classroom should be a place apart, however briefly, from the outside world. You will learn more, in short, if you can concentrate on the class while you’re in class. If you’re really into your phone to that extent, consider taking my class this Spring 2015 “Cell Phones, Snapshots and the Social Network”, it’ll all be about the mobile device and making art.

Stan’s office number/voice mail:  935 8406

Stan’s cell 314 440 2894

Stan’s E mail address:  Strembicki@wustl.edu

Class blog: www.blackandwhitephoto1.blogspot.com